A gastroenterologist, which is a type of doctor, has outlined five indicators that you might be missing certain essential nutrients.
As the seasons change, even a slight breeze can make you feel unwell. However, Saurabh Sethi from California has offered advice on how to maintain your health during these times.
Specializing in digestive system conditions, Dr. Sethi used TikTok to highlight how nutrient deficiencies can affect your body. He identified five key signs to be aware of.
If you often find your nails breaking shortly after a manicure, it could indicate a deficiency in two important nutrients.
According to Sethi, brittle nails may suggest a lack of protein and iron, which can be obtained from foods like meat, tofu, and nuts.
Minor eyelid twitches might be linked to stress or fatigue, as noted by WebMD, but Sethi suggests it could also signal a magnesium deficiency.
Twitching limbs might also mean your diet lacks magnesium, which can be sourced from dark green leafy vegetables, brown rice, bananas, and dark chocolate.
“[Magnesium] is critical for transmitting nerve impulses,” Sethi explained.
https://www.tiktok.com/@username/video/7422726867301567774
If you’ve noticed your knees making popping sounds and feared it as a sign of aging, it might not actually be a huge concern just yet.
Sethi mentions that joint clicking sounds could indicate a need for more vitamin D3 or calcium, both vital for bone health.
Vitamin D3 can be found in foods such as egg yolks, cheese, mushrooms, and oily fish, while calcium is present in dairy products, vegetables, and fish.
Your premature grey hairs might not solely be due to aging; a lack of vitamin B12 could be the culprit.
B12 is essential for red blood cell production and oxygen transport to hair follicles, as Sethi explained.
Grey hair might also result from a copper deficiency, affecting melanin production which is responsible for hair color. Copper can be sourced from shellfish, nuts, seeds, and chocolate.
If you’re prone to bruising easily, it might suggest a need for more vitamin C.
Vitamin C aids in collagen formation and is abundant in fruits and vegetables.
Sethi also noted that easy bruising could be a sign of vitamin K1 deficiency, which plays a role in blood clotting.
While a well-balanced diet typically provides the necessary nutrients, multivitamins can offer additional benefits if needed.
However, Dr. Helen Wall from the UK mentioned to The Telegraph that a varied diet is generally more effective than supplements.
“There are various essential nutrients in food that even the most comprehensive supplement is unlikely to compensate for, such as phytochemicals (plant chemicals) and fibre,” she explained.
Excessive intake of a single vitamin can be harmful, so it’s crucial to avoid duplicating vitamins when using supplements.